FAQs

How are Naturopathic Doctors different from other complementary health practitioners or a family doctor?

Naturopathic Doctors are trained to be able to diagnosis conditions, perform physical exams, and request certain blood work and labs. Naturopathic Doctors are trained to treat a wide range of conditions - from gastrointestinal disorders to metabolic conditions (like weight, diabetes or cardiovascular) and hormones. Naturopathic Doctors are highly trained in natural medicine and employ various natural therapies including clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle counselling. In addition, Dr. Bretz ND is able to prescribe bio-identical hormones and desiccated thyroid medication.

Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by OHIP?

Naturopathic Medicine is not currently covered by OHIP. However, most health insurance plans do offer coverage for Naturopathic Medicine. Contact your health insurance provider to see if your health benefits include coverage for Naturopathic Medicine.

We provide documents to submit for your insurance provider or keep for income tax purposes.

I’ve been told nothing is wrong or it’s just aging? What now?

Sometimes we need more information.

There are some differences in our traditional Ontario medical system and how a naturopathic doctor practices. One of those differences is around testing - tests covered by OHIP are publicly funded and only considered when ‘medically necessary’. This works for many people in the population but sometimes we need a bit more. During our longer appointment time, we’re able to determine whether something might be appropriate to help us get more answers.

Will you work with others in my healthcare team?

I will collaborate with all of your health care providers, will respect the treatment plans that they have recommended, and ensure that any treatments that I recommend will work in conjunction with your current medications and other therapies. If you would like any communication be sent to your team, please just let us know. But that is up to you!

This is not an either/or situation. No one person is going to be able to help all areas of your health. Having a well-connected circle of care can only be a benefit to your health goals.

What can I expect in a visit?

Your first visit will take approximately 50-60 minutes and will include a complete health history, physical exam (as required) and discussion of your health goals and expectations. Additional laboratory testing may be ordered and copies of any recent testing may be requested from your family doctor. This will determine how we will move forward in your journey to health which usually gets started at this point.

A follow-up appointment is typically scheduled 2-4 weeks following your initial appointment in order to review the findings and discuss your treatment plan and get you further set on your program towards better health.

What Kind of Testing is Available?

Naturopaths in Ontario have a lot of testing options at their disposal - but testing is not meant to be a fishing expedition. If testing is being performed it is with the expectation that it could change the course of our treatment.

Options include testing through our conventional labs life LifeLabs (blood, stool, urine), as well as SIBO testing, comprehensive stool analysis, H. pylori, fecal calprotectin and more.

Testing may be covered by insurance. These tests, however, are completely optional.

What is “Your Gut Connection”?

You don’t have time to have gut issues. You deserve to be able to eat without pain, go out without worrying about where the bathroom is at all times and not feeling like the pants that fit in the morning are too tight by mid-afternoon due to bloating.

From testing options and diagnostics, dietary programs (such as FODMAP – and getting off FODMAP, gluten-free, reflux diets and the IBD-AID program), gut healing, nutrient replenishment, probiotics and prebiotics Dr Bretz ND has numerous options for your digestive health as this is her major area of focus. We have programs to help you move through your process towards feeling better.

Commonly seen conditions include:

  • IBS

  • IBD (including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative and microscopic colitis)

  • GERD and reflux

  • Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth (SIBO)

  • Functional Gastrointestinal Disease

  • Constipation

  • H. pylori infections

  • Diarrhea

  • Diverticular disease

  • Gallbladder disorders

  • Celiac disease